"Manger Song"

We realized the other day that we had not posted a video since April... which would be right before we found out we were having twins... so here is what is known around here as "MANGER SONG!!!"

Christmas cookies

 

Help

Does anyone know how to center that header picture? Thanks!

Friends, Santa, and Cornbread!

The Boutwells came for a visit yesterday!  Jane is SUCH a refreshing delight to be around, and sweet Anna and Elisha are just the same.  I didn't get a good pic of Elisha, but here are the girls with Blythe!

We went to the Kennesaw Christmas parade today that passes by the downtown train depot so we could see this guy afterwards.  It was cloudy and 30-something degrees, thus the bundling! 

Abby Jane talked a big game about sitting in Santa's lap, but you can see what happened when push came to shove!  That's definitely a meltdown you see on her face.  Blythe and Joy had a lovely time, though!

Lastly, Abby Jane made her first cornbread tonight to go with our chili, and she baked some in her own cast iron skillet that Jake bought her at the Big Texan in Amarillo, TX on his cross-country road trip in August.

The first week of Christmas

Seeing the Christmas tree for the first time, completely decorated...

Christmas Parade in Cartersville- SO COLD, but SO fun!  The twins were snuggled down in their carseats!

Hug from Cade while they were watching the Budweiser Clydesdale horses get unloaded...

The "I just saw Santa for the first time" face!  On Abby Jane, that is...

We had a snow flurry on Saturday morning!  I was afraid it would end before we got totally dressed for it, so yes.  She is wearing rain boots with her PJs!

Saturday night, Jake and I went to our small group's tacky Christmas sweater party, but sadly took no pictures.  I will say that Jake was wearing a green turtleneck with a red cardigan with a jingly Christmas wreath pin on.  Fantastic.

Sunday night, live nativity at Mom's church with random animals milling around for kiddos to pet.

Decorated our gingerbread house this morning... a little icing got stuck to the lip somehow...

Caught Joy's smile on camera for the first time before naps this afternoon!

They rarely sleep together since they have their own cribs, but I think it's fun to do every now and then!

Stocking Stuffer idea!

One of my dear friends and neighbors in CA just launched this Etsy site with several styles of these darling headbands!  

I LOVE how cute and funky they are and that they can be sized for children or adults- y'all have got to check it out!  FABULOUS job, Tiffany!

A few delightful wintery recipes!

You have to try this stuffed acorn squash.  

I substituted in chicken apple sausage for the other sausage, and it was awesome, came out looking just like the picture, so it is obviously easy, too!

I also fixed these eggnog cupcakes 

in this month's Southern Living for a party last weekend and it got rave reviews.  Looked really cute with nutmeg sprinkled and a mini candy cane stuck in the top!

My mom introduced me to this Cranberry Apple Crisp this fall, and we're addicted.  Particularly yummy with Publix's Chocolate Chip Oatmeal ice cream.

Cranberry-Apple Crisp

3 c unpeeled apples chopped into bite sized pieces, sprinkled with lemon juice 

2 c whole raw cranberries

1 c granulated sugar 

1 1/2 c oats

1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar

1/3 c all purpose flour

1/2 c melted margarine or butter

1/3 c chopped pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 300. Combine apples, cranberries and sugar.  Mix and put in 2 qt casserole/ shallow pyrex dish.  Mix remaining ingredients and spread on top of apple mixture.  Bake uncovered until bubbly and light brown on top, about 45 minutes. You can freeze at this point and thaw and warm before serving.  

Lots of pics to come from Christmas festivities the last few days!